Research carried out by Girlguiding suggests that girls' career confidence plummets as they near the world of work.
A poll of 1,627 girls and young women showed they felt less powerful as they progressed through secondary school. Only a third of the 17- to 21-year-olds questioned felt they would do as well as their male peers, against 90% of the nine- to 10-year-olds.
The young women interviewed were a representative sample and not necessarily connected with Girlguiding, says the charity.
The results show:
- 90% of nine- and 10-year-old girls felt they would have the same chance as boys at succeeding in their chosen jobs
- this dropped to 54% among 11- to 16-year-olds
- and to 35% among 17 to 21-year-olds.
And only a quarter of the older group said they felt "powerful" compared with a third of 11- to 16-year-old girls.
Girlguiding says the data charts how girls' attitudes to themselves change as they become more aware of the barriers facing women in the workplace.
"This new research shows girls are lacking in confidence at an important stage in their lives when they are starting to think about the future, enter work or begin university. As the UK's leading charity for girls and young women it's our responsibility to change this. Guiding builds girls' confidence and empowers them to take on leadership roles from the very earliest age - giving them the safe space and support they need to grow and develop their potential," said Ms Bentley.
